Socio-Economic Determinants of Goat Milk Consumption by Rural Households in the Niger Valley of Benin and Implications for the Development of a Smallholder Dairy Goat Program

Abstract

Goats, more popular than cattle in rural Benin, are mainly kept for meat production. Their milk is still unpopular but can provide the much-needed nutrients for children in food-insecure households. This study explored the socio-economic factors affecting the attitude of rural households in the Niger Valley of Benin toward goat milk consumption. Data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews of 721 heads of households or their representatives. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to test the association between socioeconomic variables and goat milk consumption. Goat milk and its products were consumed in 14.7% of the surveyed households and were not part of the traditional diets of remaining 81.8%. Their sensory qualities were further reasons reported by 18.4% of respondents for their non-consumption. A household's likelihood to consume goat milk or its derivatives was significantly influenced by the sociocultural background of its head and whether it kept goats or not. The odds of consuming goat milk and/or its derivatives were 2.285 and 2.017 times higher, respectively, for households from Dendi and Peulh socio-cultural groups. Despite the recorded cultural barriers, there is room for increasing goat milk consumption by rural households by increasing its availability and raising awareness of its nutritional and health benefits.